Do You Want to Freeze the Sun?

Ian stood at the bow of the Golden Flying Dragon, the island in the distance already clearly visible.

"Fufufufu, it looks like this business isn't going to be easy."

Doflamingo stood beside him, holding a telescope and gazing at the distant island. "Something extraordinary has come in person!"

"It can't be Iron Fist Garp, can it?"

Ian squinted, but it was too far away to see clearly.

"It's definitely not Garp, but,"

Doflamingo handed the binoculars to Ian, saying, "It's his disciple."

Garp's disciple?

Ian picked up the binoculars and looked.

What comes into view is a fluffy mushroom-shaped haircut, which looks somewhat grotesque.

He was wearing an eye patch on his forehead, a long black coat over a blue T-shirt and white trousers, and was staring at them with deadpan eyes.

Ian lowered his binoculars. "Wow, that's some exaggerated Observation Haki."

"That's Kuzan."

Doflamingo said with a grin.

Everyone knows that the current Fleet Admiral, Steel Bone Kong, is already quite old, and his promotion and departure from the Navy are only a matter of a few years away.

Once he is promoted, then the current Admiral Sengoku will undoubtedly become the new Fleet Admiral.

The positions of Admiral will be filled by those three.

Borsalino, Sakazuki, Kuzan.

The most notorious monster in the Marine Headquarters in recent years, also known as the Admiral candidate.

"Babanuki!"

Ian shouted.

"Lord Ian!"

Babanuki rushed over.

"You and your men will come with me to take over the warships,"

Ian turned around and gave the order, "As for the rest of you, get on Doflamingo's ship first, and don't go any closer. In fact, let's turn back."

"Ian!"

The white-haired girl stared at him longingly.

Ian raised his right hand and tapped the girl's forehead with his index and middle fingers. "Forgive me, Yamato. Next time."

Don't treat me like a child!

And so, naturally, the white-haired girl's shouts followed.

But please forgive me, Yamato.

That's Kuzan.

A monster in the truest sense of the word.

No amount of caution is too much; a slight mistake could lead to a major disaster.

If I could, I'd just turn around and leave.

So, at Ian's insistence, the rest of the group boarded the Donquixote Family's ship, immediately turned around, and then the Golden Flying Dragon continued forward, heading towards the island not far away.

"Oh dear, you're quite cautious, aren't you?"

On the island's shore, Kuzan looked at the diverting ships and couldn't help but scratch his head, "Why do I have to deal with such troublesome brats?"

Is it because I've been active in the nearby waters?

I really envy Borsalino; he went to Paradise to hunt down the Sun Pirates.

"Make way!"

He yelled at the top of his lungs, "Let them come over."

On the Golden Flying Dragon.

Ian watched the government ships gradually disperse and said to the woman he was holding, "So there's no need to be discouraged, Major General Gion. Look, the government really values you, doesn't it? They've gone to great lengths."

Gion remained bound by incredibly strong chains. The woman kept her head down, her face ashen, and remained silent.

She's been in this state ever since that day when she overheard Ian's conversation with the government about the deal.

He looked like he was questioning the meaning of life.

Finally, just as they were getting closer to the island, Gion looked up. Her hair, which Ian had burned off with a stick, had grown quite a bit back, but it looked uneven, like it had been chewed by a dog.

"Why?"

She asked.

"Why?"

Ian paused for a moment, "What? Why?"

Why did you do that?

Gion gritted her teeth.

Did I do anything?

Ian looked blank for a moment.

Why do you look so bitter and resentful?

Does she think she's some kind of hater in the Navy?

Heaven have mercy, I was just mentioning what the government had done.

Is it no longer permissible to tell the truth?

So Ian said, "I just can't stand how you twist the truth."

Turning black into white?

Gion was taken aback.

The next second, her beautiful face contorted in pain.

This bastard said I'm distorting the truth?

Who is really distorting the truth?

If pirates are considered evil, then is the World Government considered good?

This was the first time in Gion's life that she had considered this question.

Then she gritted her teeth again.

It's all because of this brat that she's become so strange.

The large ship did not dock completely, but stopped some distance from the shore.

After all, the ship is too big; if it gets too close to the shore, it won't be easy to turn around later.

Small boats were lowered from the Golden Flying Dragon, carrying Babanuki and a group of pirates ashore, but they did not immediately go ashore.

Ian immediately entered Beastman Mode, and amidst a dazzling golden light, he picked up Gion and flew towards the island.

"Are they here?"

Kuzan pulled out a pair of flashy little sunglasses, put them on, and looked up at the dazzling gold. He raised his voice, "Everyone, scatter. This guy isn't someone you can just approach."

If you're not careful, you could be burned to ashes in a single fire.

Without any hesitation, the naval and government agents on the shore dispersed, clearing the area for the two monsters.

Ian landed gently, his flapping wings kicking up clouds of dust.

"Nice to meet you, Vice Admiral Kuzan."

Ian took the initiative, greeting Aokiji in a friendly manner, "Have you eaten?"

"The seafood rice made by the ship's chef was quite delicious, even though I was a little tired of it."

Kuzan answered honestly, "So, if you haven't eaten yet, why don't you go try some?"

"Really? I quite like seafood."

Ian smiled and said, "Next time for sure."

Is that so?

Kuzan nodded, then looked down at Gion, who was being held in Ian's hand. "Gion, are you alright?"

Gion simply shook her head, then, feeling like she'd gotten herself into trouble, she decided to at least be polite. She said, "I'm fine. I'm sorry for the trouble."

"What are you saying? This isn't your fault."

Kuzan looked at Ian.

"I think we should blame her."

Ian said, "If she hadn't chased after us, none of this would have happened."

"You mean you want a navy officer to give up chasing the pirates?"

Kuzan scratched the back of his head. "I've never heard of that theory before."

Ian simply smiled. "Anyway, may I inspect the warship now?"

He looked at the five huge naval warships anchored on the shore.

Lieutenant Vice Admiral Kuzan shrugged. "Anytime."

So Ian shouted towards the sea, "Babanuki!"

The pirates rowed their small boat with all their might, getting closer.

They then split into three groups and quickly boarded three naval warships.

Their next task was to thoroughly inspect these warships, leaving no corner unchecked, to prevent the government from causing trouble on board.

Although Ian had absolutely no interest in these warships, he still had to put on a show.

"And this too."

Kuzan tossed Ian a small box.

Ian's nimble tail stretched forward and coiled around the box, while his other hand opened it.

Inside is a pink fruit, and the outside is covered with spiral-patterned scales.

Excellent!

Ian was secretly delighted, but his face remained nonchalant. After casually checking the fruit's integrity, he tossed it back into the box.

"Don't worry, it's just a failed experiment."

Kuzan said lazily, "Nobody cares about it except you guys."

That's what I said, but I still asked Dr. Vegapunk again carefully beforehand, and only brought it over after confirming that it was a failed product.

Is there anything else?

Ian looked at Kuzan seriously, "And what about creations based on Teacher Kai's Lineage Factor?"

"I don't know about that, and besides,"

Kuzan yawned. "Don't forget the details of our deal."

Even if it exists, it's not part of this deal, kid.

Ian scoffed, "I'm curious, since Vegapunk can replicate Teacher Kai's Lineage Factor, will he, under the government's orders, clone yours? Maybe one day I'll even see your clones fighting for the government."

Gion was taken aback.

But Aokiji remained unmoved. "That's great! With them, we can finally get some rest."

"So, what happens to those who are not needed?" Ian sneered.

"Of course, it's retirement."

Aokiji looked expectant. "Actually, the Navy's pensions are quite high."

Ian immediately smiled and said, "Really? I think a strongman like Vice Admiral Kuzan deserves better treatment. How about switching sides and joining our Beasts Pirates? I can give you a whole country as your fiefdom."

"Oh my, that's really generous."

After sighing, Kuzan shook his head. "But unfortunately, despite my seemingly carefree and frivolous appearance, I'm actually quite loyal."

This guy is completely unreasonable.

Besides, where do you look like a free spirit?

Calling you "horse-faced" is an insult to horses.

After a stalemate lasting a while, on those warships...

"Lord Ian! Inspection complete!"

Babanuki shouted to Ian, "Everything's fine! Except for the lack of ammunition, everything's perfect!"

Ian looked at Kuzan.

The lieutenant Vice Admiral shrugged. "You didn't say it was mandatory to carry ammunition."

The World Government is so stingy.

The cannons are all equipped; what's wrong with adding some ammunition?

"Sail the boat away."

Ian said.

"Yes!"

Babanuki huffed and puffed as he ran onto the deck, preparing to sail away.

"Alright, now that the inspection is complete, then, Brother Ian,"

Kuzan raised his hand and pointed to Gion, who was being held by Ian. "Shouldn't you give her back to me?"

"We'll have to wait a little longer."

Ian said, "Otherwise, if we return Major General Gion to you too soon, given your abilities, Vice Admiral Kuzan, these ships definitely won't be able to sail."

Facing a creature that can freeze the sea with ease, simply sailing away is not a wise choice.

"Rest assured,"

Ian reassured Aokiji, "I'll stay."

Kuzan thought for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.

So, the five warships slowly started up and, propelled by the wind, began to set sail, gradually heading into the distance.

They rendezvoused with the Golden Flying Dragon and then continued their journey without stopping.

Ian watched them leave quietly until the ships had completely disappeared from sight, vanishing at the horizon.

So, it's time to leave.

Almost instantly, flames erupted from beneath Ian's feet, propelling him into the air like a rocket.

but.

"Oh dear, playing tricks isn't good."

Aokiji's reaction speed was astonishing; in the blink of an eye, he managed to catch up with Ian using his terrifying jumping ability.

"I've returned the person to you."

Ian swung the Major General Gion he was holding at Aokiji, his main point being to uphold the agreement.

Aokiji paused, catching Gion, but he himself was also forced to fall by the immense force Gion carried.

In the blink of an eye, the distance between him and Ian widened.

but.

"The Ice Age!"

Aokiji waved his hand.

The air froze instantly.

The atmosphere and clouds were frozen, and a huge block of ice, as large as a mountain, instantly stretched across the sky, freezing Ian directly inside the ice.

That's outrageous; its freezing power is far superior to Yamato's.

but.

Bear!!

Golden flames instantly shattered the azure ice from within; the shattered ice fragments didn't even have time to fall before being completely vaporized by the golden flames.

"This isn't how you show guests off, and besides,"

Ian looked down at Aokiji. "Do you really think you can freeze the sun?"

"Sun?"

Aokiji leaped into the air, his right hand aimed at Ian. "However, it seems I really can't freeze this guy. Just as troublesome as Sakazuki. Ice Block - Two-Spiked Spear!"

Two enormous ice spears materialized above his head, and the next moment they hurtled toward Ian like cruise missiles.

Covered in Haki and guided by Observation Haki, these two spears are powerful enough to pierce through mountains!

Ian smirked, and flames surged behind him, the golden flames coalescing into two spears.

Whoosh!

With two soft sounds, the flaming spears shot out as well.

The next moment, flames and ice, two completely different but equally swift spears, clashed together.

The white mist and golden flames surged together in an instant, triggering two massive explosions in the air.

Riding the whirlwind of the explosion, Ian soared into the sky.

However, the smoke from the explosion was instantly pierced by the ice, and a giant ice bird spread its wings and flew in.

Then came Kuzan's leisurely move name. "Ice Block - Exploding Pheasant Beak!"

Ian raised his right hand high, and a huge fireball condensed in his palm, "The Winged Dragon's Blazing Flame!"

A massive fireball crashed down, crushing the ice bird with its overwhelming size.

Undeterred, the icebirds chasing the sun charged headlong into the sky.

Ice and fire clashed fiercely once more, extreme cold and extreme heat, completely disrupting the climate of the sky.

Half the sky was filled with swirling snowflakes, while the air in the other half was distorted by the scorching heat.

"That's about enough for now,"

Ian laughed, flames shooting from his back as he sped away, "Your ice can't stop my fire."

Just kidding. Thirteen years later, Ace was still able to go toe-to-toe with Kuzan when exchanging blows. Ian doesn't think he's inferior to the badly injured Ace from the Marineford War.

In the sky below, Kuzan sighed, watching Ian disappear into the distance.

"Just as troublesome as the rumors say."

He sighed.